~ Author Stephanie Lawton

Playlists: Why music is so important to writing

Why is music so important to writing? Well, duh. Music sets the tone. Conveys a picture or feeling without those pesky words we chase around the page. Music is a HUGE part of my WIP both figuratively and literally. I’ve amassed quite an iTunes playlist that I turn to when writing certain scenes, plus music — particularly classic piano and Southern Dixieland — plays a major role in the plot itself.

Need an intense fight scene? Cue “Monster” by Skillet. Need hotness in a hurry? Try “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon. Want to conjure the South without voodoo intervention? I’m partial to the Bay City Brass Band.

Below is most of my playlist for my WIP. I’m a mom, so I have to warn you, some of it is adult-oriented. The first is “All the Right Moves” from OneRepublic and I’ve included the official video because it –freakishly– mirrors my WIP. Great minds, and all that: